How do you securely manage and store your encryption keys? (2024)

With my experience on Cryptography implementations, the scope of choosing an encryption key is now dependent solely on data to be protected.1. Symmetric Encryption Keys are used for rapid crypto operations with small amounts of data to be protected e.g. a sensitive field or JSON document.2. Asymmetric Encryption Keys are used greatly for authentication, integrity check, key exchange rather than data encryption due to their slower processing and larger key size nature.With the challenges around both schemes,An architect is required to consider below questions before choosing1. What type and quantity of data2. At Rest or In Transit3. How many parties require access to the key4. Cryptographic operation to be performedThanks,

Till now industry moved very well using combination of symmetric + asymmetric. Qunatum computing is coming into picture. There are qubits capable enough to break the modern day cipher. we were using 0 & 1 in our day-to-day machines. we increased the permutation such that a normal machine took million of years to crack 128 bit aes cipher. FPGAs with government power will further reduce it to 3 months or more. so we practically change keys quarterly. qunatum will further reduce this gap.We will be required encryption utilizing same quantum computing because breaking is fast, encryption would also be.

I agree that the choice between symmetric and asymmetric encryption keys depends on the specific use case. Use symmetric encryption for faster performance and encrypting large data volumes. For instance, AES is commonly used to secure files or data at rest.Use asymmetric encryption for secure communication and authentication. For example, SSL/TLS employs asymmetric keys to establish secure connections between web browsers and servers.In many cases, a hybrid approach combining both types provides an effective balance of speed and security.

Use a Hardware Security Module (HSM).Encrypt your encryption keys themselves Role-Based Access Control.Divide key management responsibilities among different individuals .Regular Key Rotation.Strong Authentication.Maintain detailed logs of all key management activities for monitoring and accountability purposes.Ensure that physical access to key management infrastructure is restricted and monitored.When transmitting keys, use secure channels such as encrypted connections (SSL/TLS) or secure file transfer protocols.Consider storing encryption keys offline in a secure, isolated environment.

Encryption ecosystem works on two models based on two algorithm Symmetric & Asymmetric.Symmetric Algorithms generate a single key used for both Encryption and Decryption.Asymmetric Algorithms generate a key pair (Public & Private key) where the Encryption done by one key can be Decrypted the corresponding key only. Asymmetric algorithm are a bit slow in nature but are very useful when the key needs to be transferred through an unsecured channel.Eg: HTTPS , Certificates, PKI.Symmetric algos can be used in a trusted environment only hence we send Public key of Asymmetric algo to the intended recipient and then use Private key to encrypt and send the Symmetric key securely. The recipient use Public key to decrypt the Symmetric key.

But the tool to generate your keys also requires some verification and validation - proven and accepted by industry standards and frameworks. The tool should be trustworthy and free of flaws or backdoors that could compromise the security or quality of the keys. You should always check the source and the reputation of the tool before using it, and avoid using tools from unknown or dubious vendors or providers.

Generating strong and random encryption keys is crucial for security. To achieve this, we can use a cryptographically secure random number generator (CSPRNG). For symmetric keys, tools like OpenSSL or libraries like Python's secrets module can help. For asymmetric keys, we can utilize libraries like OpenSSL or OpenSSH. It is important to follow best practices, such as using sufficient entropy sources and periodically refreshing keys for enhanced security.

It's essential to highlight the strategic balance between accessibility and security. Balancing Key Storage:- Hardware Security Modules (HSMs): - Pros: Offers a secure, physical location for encryption keys. - Cons: Requires physical maintenance and management.- Cloud Key Management Systems (KMSs): - Pros: Provides flexibility with remote access, quick scalability, and integrated backups. - Cons: Increases the potential threat surface, necessitating strict security protocols.Backup strategy is crucial if key storage extends beyond mere location: - Cyclic: Regular backups, not one-time. - Tested: Confirm backup functionality. - Secure: Match primary storage security levels.

Most standards ask you to use HSMs and they do not accept KMSs but as you know the HSM solutions are very expensive for small businesses so they use KMSs.For backup also you should have HA plan for you HSMs or KMSs

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I've seeing a lot of trouble when implementing PKI, specially at the moment of deciding where to storage, cloud base, onprem, hybrid. And whom should be the keeper of the whole approach. Least privileged and need to know are no sufficient in most cases. My suggest is to define approach, approval method to generate, share/keep/store and rapidly replace if compromised.

For a cloud customer it always beneficial to opt for BYOk in order to safeguard their data and invoke keys as and when desired for case like cloud exits and migration

This is an essential requirement, but it also poses some challenges and opportunities. The key storage location should be physically and logically secure from unauthorized access or tampering, but also accessible and recoverable in case of need or emergency. Some options are hardware security modules (HSMs), cloud key management services (KMSs), or encrypted files or databases. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the cost, convenience, and control.

Enable the log monitoring (for instance ingesting with SIEM) and audit the keys if it's no longer needed, delete themKey rotation should happen atleast every 3 month once

It is hard work because keys usually are used by a lot of teams. So managing the distribution of keys and also changing them regularly is the hardest part.Some developers hard code the keys in their code and sometimes you need an awareness program to educate them.

This is a best practice, but it also requires careful planning and coordination. The key rotation policy should balance the security and availability of the system, and avoid causing any disruption or incompatibility. The key rotation should be synchronized across all the parties and systems involved, ensuring that everyone has the most updated version of the keys. The key rotation frequency and triggers should depend on the risk level and usage pattern of the keys.

Key Splitting:Key splitting involves dividing an encryption key into multiple parts, or "shares," which are distributed to different individuals or systems. The original key can only be reconstructed when a sufficient number of shares are combined together. This technique adds an extra layer of security, as an attacker would need to compromise multiple entities to reconstruct the complete key.

Key rotations would ideally be planned according to internal security management policies. While some keys may be easily changed periodically, others might require additional steps or increased complexity (production or mission critical services) that might not adjust to these defined policies. Unless the processes want to be modified whole, adding exceptions for such cases to the documentation and to the risk assessments will ensure that you stay compliant with regulations. Such exceptions should include the different steps and time-frames in which these specific rotations will happen.

The principle of least privilege ensures that users are only granted the access rights they need to accomplish their business operations and needs. It prevents users receiving excess privileges that they may use to subvert a process or commit fraud. It is a simple and very effective control. User access rights should be reviewed periodically for effective access control and data security.

Micro Token Exchange technology solution initially replaces any size of file or data element with a MicroToken that serves as a placeholder for the original data. The original data is encrypted and broken apart into many segments whether at rest or in transit. Let us first examine the concept of trust. Standard security protocols require that you have trust entities your organization does not control. You must trust the OS, you must trust the certificate authority, you must trust the network, you must trust the device the client is using, and the list goes on. By embedding data security within your application, the data can be secured as soon as it exists, and your application can be 100% in control of ensuring it is never exposed.

This is a sensible principle, but it also demands a high level of security awareness and discipline. The access and permissions to the keys should follow the principle of least privilege, which means that only the minimum level of access and permissions that are necessary for the intended function are granted. The access and permissions should also be monitored and audited regularly to detect any anomalies or breaches. The authentication and authorization mechanisms should be strong and secure, such as passwords, tokens, certificates, or biometrics.

Upholding the principle of least privilege in encryption key management is essential for strong security. For instance a) In Azure, assign precise permissions using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), while Google Cloud's IAM allows tailored key access. In AWS, define granular policies through IAM roles. b) For on-premises setups, utilize dedicated hardware security modules (HSMs) to control key access. Implement Active Directory permissions to restrict user access to encryption keys based on roles and responsibilities.By combining least privilege with key segregation based on sensitivity and purpose, we can ensure optimal security both in the cloud and on-premises environments.

The staff needs to be educated to not commit keys, secrets , passwords or any other sensitive information in code repositories.-Pre-commit hooks should be configured to prevent this from happening- Platform teams should have regular scanning to report any instance of sensitive information found.- Developers should be trained on leveraging secret management tools like vaults/KMS/HSM.

All organizations need a SETA program. This program should be based on the role of person who needs to be trained. I think the most important problem these days is the lack of such programs in an organization.

A holistic approach to encryption key management involves education, well-defined policies, a security-conscious culture, and appropriate incentives and consequences. By addressing human factors, organizations can significantly enhance their data protection measures and reduce the potential impact of human error on encryption key security.

This is an essential step, but it also requires constant reinforcement and evaluation. The staff should not only have theoretical knowledge on encryption key management, but also gain practical skills by having regular tests and feedback. The staff should also be updated on any changes or developments in the field of encryption key management, and be motivated and engaged in learning more.

Implement automated security scanning tools to continuously monitor repositories for hard coded secrets and take appropriate action.Consider a key escrow mechanism for critical systems. This allows recovery of encrypted data if the original key is lost.Establish clear processes for Key Lifecycle Management - generation, distribution, usage, rotation, and eventual retirement.Anticipate the need for potential cryptographic algorithm changes in response to emerging threats.

Securing Encryption Keys in TransitFor encryption keys to be usable by different parties, key exchange is inevitable. It is crucial to securely transmit encryption keys between parties without exposing it to potential eavesdroppers or attackers. This involves the use of cryptographic functions and encryption. Some common key exchange methods are Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange, Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman, RSA Key Exchange, Public Key Infrastructure, Pre-Shared Keys, Key Wrapping, Key Derivation Functions, Perfect Forward Secrecy.When selecting a key exchange method, it's important to consider factors such as security level required, computational efficiency, and the specific cryptographic algorithms employed.

Implement KMS & Monitoring and alertsKey Management System (KMS): Utilize a dedicated KMS to centralize key management. KMS services offer features like key rotation, auditing, and access controls to restrict key usage.Implement real-time monitoring for key usage and set up alerts for suspicious or unauthorized activities.Apply the principle of least privilege, granting users the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks.

Micro Token Exchange (MTE) technology solution initially replaces any size of file or data element with a MicroToken that serves as a placeholder for the original data. The original data is encrypted and broken apart into many segments whether at rest or in transit. Let us first examine the concept of trust. Standard security protocols require that you have trust entities your organization does not control. You must trust the OS, you must trust the certificate authority, you must trust the network, you must trust the device the client is using, and the list goes on. By embedding data security within your application, the data can be secured as soon as it exists, and your application can be 100% in control of ensuring it is never exposed.

One of the latest innovations in encryption key management is the concept of Bring Your Own Key (BYOK), which allows customers to generate and manage their own encryption keys for cloud services, rather than relying on the cloud provider’s keys. This gives customers more control and ownership over their data security and privacy, as well as the ability to revoke or rotate keys as needed. However, BYOK also comes with some challenges and responsibilities, such as ensuring the compatibility and interoperability of the keys across different cloud platforms, and maintaining the availability and backup of the keys in case of failure or disaster.